Foldable blank for use with a paper based evidence holding bag enclosure

ABSTRACT

A tamper-evident evidence bag including a blank having a central panel and first and second planar shaped and pivotally connected side panels. The bag has an open perimeter edge and is secured along a selected extending side edge to the central panel. Following insertion of items of evidence, first and second pivotally connected side panels are folded from an open position, in which they panels are established in a substantially parallel relationship, to a closed position in which opposingly facing surfaces of are adhered against one another and in order to maintain, in tamper-evident fashion, the items placed within the bag enclosure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/891,347, filed Jul. 14, 2004, and entitled “Foldable Blank in Use with a Bag Material for Securing and Retaining Articles of Evidence in Tamper-Evident Fashion.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a foldable and reclosable blank having an open center. More particularly, the present invention discloses a blank in use with an attachable bag-like structure for the purpose of providing for secure holding and retention of evidence, such as in particular by law enforcement personnel.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The prior art is well documented with varying examples of storage and retention articles, such including bag-like structures, containers and the like. These articles are configured for a variety of different uses, among these being the storage and retention of solids and fluids for varying applications.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,008, issued to Shaw, teaches a device for the removal and disposition of animal waste and which includes, in a preferred embodiment, a body consisting of first and second planar shaped members arranged in parallel extending and proximate fashion and such that the planar members define opposingly facing surfaces. First and second elongate handles extend from the planar members and a flexible bag having an open end and a closed end is fitted to the device so that the planar members define a perimeter of the open end. The first and second handles are engaged to outwardly actuate the first and second planar shaped members relative to one another and so that the open end of the bag encompasses a solid waste object setting upon a ground location. The opposingly facing surfaces of the planar shaped members are capable of grasping and elevating the solid waste object and the device is adapted to being inverted to deposit the object with the bag interior.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,900, issued to Jenson, teaches a blood collection and transportation assembly for evidentiary purposes and which includes an impact resistant outer container having a soft foam cushioning pad disposed across the bottom and top thereof. A protective wrap of plastic bubble packaging material surrounds a pair of blood sampling tubes and a multi-sample syringe assembly disposed between the cushioning pads. Additional items include a sealable evidence bag, tamper evidencing tapes, an instruction manual, a non-alcoholic swab, and a liquid absorbent packet contained therein. The outer container and its contents are initially enclosed and sealed in a tamper evidencing wrapper and such that the assembly can be subjected to rough handling with the contents of the blood sampling tubes remaining intact.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,113, issued to Taylor, teaches a security bag arrangement having a transparent polymeric material comprising a pair of side walls and a transverse weld forming a receptacle. A paper panel is applied on the inner surface of one side wall, and closure members in the form of strips of adhesive material join the other side wall to the paper panel in such a way that breaching of the adhesive material is evident by delaminating or tearing the panel.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,588, issued to Davis, teaches a sealed carton with tamper indicating means. An outermost closure panel is provided with a tuck flap which extends down between inner and outer panels of a double wall carton body wall, the inner surface of the tuck flap being bonded to the exterior surface of the inner panel to provide an inaccessible bond. Panels of the cartons which are bonded together have an accessible seam and may be provided with an arrangement of weakening lines so that, if one attempts to destroy the bond using a knife or razor blade, the exposed outer panel will give evidence of rupturing and thus indicate tampering even though the two panels are later resealed. The inner panels may further include an arrangement of weakening lines which match that of the exterior panel and which may be arranged in rows extending transversely of the panels so that the bonded together panels may be readily torn to effect an opening of the package.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,634, issued to Kohler et al., teaches another example of a one-piece tamper-evident paperboard carton having overlapped end flaps secured to each other in such a way that the ends of the carton cannot be opened without tearing the paperboard and so that observation of the carton would indicate that it had been previously opened.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,297, issued to Davis et al., teaches a tamper-resistant carton wherein the outermost closure flap is provided with a sealing flap of which at least a portion functions as a tuck flap and which passes between a front panel and a terminal inner panel with a tuck flap portion being bonded on its inner surface to the outer surface of the inner terminal panel in an inaccessible position whereby the carton cannot be opened without rupturing the same to the extent that tampering would be apparent.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses a blank for use with an attachable bag-like structure, such including either a waterproof/non-fluid absorbent, e.g. clear polyethylene, or other suitable semi or fluid absorbent material. In particular, a breathable (non-decaying) bag material is specifically suitable for holding fluid entrained evidence items (e.g., those including blood, semen or other types of fluids particular to crime evidence scenes) and for the purpose of providing for secure holding and retention of these items of evidence. As will be further described, the present invention is particularly suited for use by law enforcement personnel in the collection of evidence for criminal prosecution.

A blank includes a central and planar shaped panel, to which are foldably connected first and second side panels. In a preferred application, the blank may be constructed either of a paperboard material or plasticized material, and which includes aligning handle cutout portions defined in the central panel and overlapping side panels.

A bag is provided, such as exhibiting a four-sided and rectangular configuration with an open perimeter edge. The blank is secured along a selected outward facing side edge of the bag, and such as by gluing or otherwise securing the central panel to the bag so that its upper portion projects above the top edge of the bag. Typically, the bag exhibits a plurality of fold lines such that, upon expanding to a full open position, the blank is supported in an upwardly displaced position and in order to communicate an interior of the bag.

Upon depositing the desired items within the bag enclosure, i.e., such as items of evidence, the sides and ends of the perimeter defined bag enclosure are collapsed inwardly together, e.g. along the fold lines. At this point, a peel-away covering is removed from along a continuous inner and adhesive covered surface of the blank, and which may be located both above and to the sides of the bag edges. At this point, the first and second sides panels are folded inwardly and in overlapping fashion upon the central panel to seal, in tamper-evident fashion, the items placed within the bag enclosure.

Additional features particular to the present design include the utilization of pre-printed and pre-applied indicia sheets, these secured to an outer facing surface of the evidence collecting bag, and upon which can be recorded data particular to the evidence item(s) collected. The combined bag and blank may also be folded together and compactly stored prior to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable blank incorporated into an evidence bag according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of a selected and foldable side panel associated with the blank and which exhibits a portion of a peel-away adhesive surface;

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective of the evidence bag of FIG. 1 and further illustrating the first and second side panels in a folding and sealing configuration relative to a central panel and inwardly collapsed bag edges;

FIG. 4 is a succeeding illustration to that shown in FIG. 3 and by which the evidence bag is converted to a tamper-evident and sealed configuration;

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 and illustrating a side profile of the assembled bag and blank according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a folded and pre-use configuration of the combined bag and blank according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a tamper-evident evidence bag is illustrated at 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As described previously, the present invention also discloses a blank in use with an attachable bag-like structure for the purpose of providing for secure holding and retention of evidence, such as in particular by law enforcement or crime scene investigation personnel.

As will be described as follows in cooperation with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the tamper-evident evidence bag 10 includes a blank constructed of a central and planar shaped panel 12, to which are pivotally attached along opposite edges a first side panel 14 and a second side panel 16. The central panel 12 and side panels 14 and 16 each typically exhibit a substantially planar and polygonal shape and which are constructed of a paperboard (such as corrugated material for providing strength) or, alternatively, a plasticized or other suitable material exhibiting the necessary properties of strength and durability.

A bag is generally illustrated at 18 and includes a four-sided and generally rectangular configuration exhibiting an open perimeter edge (see as referenced at 20 in FIG. 1). The bag 18 secures, along a selected exterior facing side surface thereof, to an inner facing surface of the central panel 12, such that an upper portion of the panel 12 projects above a top edge 22 (see FIG. 1) associated with the bag 18.

Typically, the bag 18 exhibits a plurality of fold lines such that, upon expanding to a full open position, is capable of supporting the blank 10 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1. As further illustrated, the bag 18 may be of a conventional paperboard variety and which exhibits a plurality of fold lines such that, upon expanding the bag to a full open position, the blank is supported in an upwardly displaced position.

In a preferred application, the bag 18 is constructed of a somewhat fluid absorbent material, this typically being preferred in evidence gathering operations where it is necessary to maintain the integrity of items such as blood or semen covered clothing. One type of paper known to possess such capabilities is known as Kraft paper. In applications such as these, it has been found that a non-breathing, or waterproof/impermeable, material would result in compromising the contained evidence items.

In additional applications, it is desired that the bag enclosure exhibit some degree of non-absorbency of fluids, and this may be provided either by substituting the paperboard bag material with another material exhibiting the necessary properties. Alternatively, it is also envisioned that a plasticized film or like suitable insert may be provided for placement within the paperboard bag enclosure in order to establish the necessary retention properties.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, the central panel 12 and side panels 14 and 16 each include aligning and cutout portions, see as defined by cutout pattern 24 formed in central panel 12, as well as overlapping and half-cutout patterns 26 and 28 associated with each of panels 14 and 16 respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the cutouts 24, 26 and 28 define, upon rotating the side panels 14 and 16 to the closed configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, a hand-hold for carrying the sealed evidence bag assembly. Although not further shown, it is envisioned and understood that carrying handles can be likewise be formed in the nature of extending or looped portions projecting from outermost extending edges of the panels, or in any other suitable fashion to facilitate grasping and portability of the device.

As is illustrated in FIG. 1, adhesive surfaces are represented, see at 30 for central panel 12 and at 32 and 34 for side panels 14 and 16, upon a selected portion of an opposing and inwardly facing surface of each of the panels (this further being defined as being the surface opposing and surrounding the upper perimeter edge 20 of the bag 18).

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the adhesive surfaces each include a peel-away covering plastic backing, as shown by example at 36 in FIG. 2, and which covers the adhesive surface 32 associated side flap 14. The peel-away strip 36 (such as for example a 3M® Transfer Tape associated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive), upon being removed from the adhesive backing surfaces, permits the hingedly connected side panels 14 and 16 to be pivoted, from the fully open position of FIG. 1, through the intermediate closing position of FIG. 3, to the fully sealed and tamper evidencing position of FIG. 4, and upon pre-insertion of desired evidence items, see as illustrated in phantom at 37 in FIG. 1. The combination of a heavy paper stock, with the pressure-sensitive adhesive portions, provides for a durable evidence holding structure.

It is also envisioned that, within the scope of the present invention, the adhesive backing and peel-away strip can be substituted by other structures for securing together the opposing facing surfaces of the panels, these including the provisions of other types of mechanical or chemical-based fasteners and including, without limitation, clips, heat staking portions and the like.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, an elongated wand element 38 (such as a sanitized pencil, chopstick or like item) is secured to one of the panels, in this instance central panel 12. The purpose of the wand may be twofold, firstly to provide for lifting and depositing of the evidence items in a non-contaminating fashion and, secondly, to provide a convenient writing utensil for recording information relevant to the evidence item, and such as which may be provided upon an indicia recording surface of the bag or blank for recording such information. In a preferred embodiment, the wand element 38 is releasably secured to a surface of a selected panel and this may further include the provision at least one pair of opposing and biasingly resilient tabs, see pairs of tabs at 40 and 42, extending from a surface of the panel and which grippingly engages therebetween the wand or pencil.

It is also understood that a method of manufacturing the blank 10 can include mass producing the same in such as a detachably engaging fashion along selected interconnecting and perforated edges. The blanks in such a variant would each exhibit a specified shape and size (and such as which are substantially identical to those described in reference to FIGS. 1-6), the blanks further being detachably engaged together along selected and interconnecting edges, and such as which may be produced according to a desired manufacturing process. One envisioned manufacturing process contemplates a corrugated cardboard forming and stamping operation, succeeded by a cutting process for sectioning the individual blanks along their interconnecting edges.

Referring finally to FIG. 6, illustrated there is a folded and pre-use configuration of the combined bag 18 and blank 10 according to the present invention. The present invention contemplates the ability to collapse the blank and bag enclosure in an easily carryable pre-use position, such as within the pocket of a user such as a forensics or law enforcement personnel, and prior to converting to the pre-insertion position of FIG. 1 and subsequent sealed and tamper-evident configuration of FIG. 4.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the evidence bag and blank assembly may also include an adhesively applied indicia recording portion, see sheet 44, and by which the particulars of an evidence item held within the sealed enclosure can be recorded. The indicia recording sheet 44 can be utilized in combination with a writing instrument either releasably held by the blank 10 or separately provided (not shown).

The present invention therefore discloses an evidence bag and blank design capable of quickly and properly holding valuable information/evidence, such as for submission to a crime lab, and which is intended to safeguard a proper chain of custody to render such collected items admissible in succeeding criminal proceedings. The breathable and durable nature of the paper stock incorporated into the evidence bag makes them ideal for holding in non-decaying fashion a wide variety of fluid entrained articles, such as again including clothing containing bodily fluids, damp illegal substances (e.g., marijuana) and the like.

Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A tamper-evident and sealable blank in use with an attached bag enclosure, said blank further comprising: a central and planar shaped panel, the bag exhibiting an open perimeter and including a side edge securing along a facing surface of said central panel; and first and second side panels pivotally secured to opposite edges of said central panel, said side panels being folded from an open position to a closed position about a collapsed perimeter associated with the bag and by which opposing facing surfaces of said panels are adhered against one another and in order to maintain, in tamper-evident fashion, items pre-placed within the bag enclosure.
 2. The invention as described in claim 1, further comprising an adhesive surface covering at least a portion of at least one of said central panel and said pivotally associated side panels.
 3. The invention as described in claim 2, further comprising a peel-away strip covering said adhesive surface.
 4. The invention as described in claim 1, further comprising aligning and cutout handle portions associating with said central panel and said first and second pivotally connected side panels.
 5. The invention as described in claim 1, said blank having a specified shape and size and being constructed of a breathable paperboard material.
 6. The invention as described in claim 1, said blank having a specified shape and size and being constructed of a plasticized material.
 7. The invention as described in claim 1, further comprising an elongated wand element secured to one of said panels.
 8. The invention as described in claim 7, further comprising said wand element being releasably secured to said central panel.
 9. The invention as described in claim 8, further comprising at least one pair of opposing and biasingly resilient tabs extending from a surface of said panel and which grippingly engages therebetween said wand.
 10. The invention as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of individual blanks, each having a specified shape and size, and being detachably engaged together along selected edges.
 11. The invention as described in claim 1, the bag exhibiting a plurality of fold lines and such that, upon expanding the bag to a full open position, said blank is supported in an upwardly displaced position and further such that an interior of the bag is communicable through the open perimeter.
 12. The invention as described in claim 1, the bag exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising at least one of a fluid absorbent material and a waterproof material.
 13. A combination tamper-evident and sealable blank and attached bag enclosure, comprising: said bag exhibiting a specified shape and size and further comprising a heavy duty paperboard and breathable material including a plurality of sides and exhibiting an open perimeter; said blank comprising a central and planar shaped panel to which is secured a selected side edge of said bag; and said blank further including first and second side panels pivotally secured to opposite edges of said central panel, said side panels being folded from an open position to a closed position about a collapsed perimeter associated with the bag, and by which opposing facing surfaces of said panels are adhered against one another and in order to maintain, in tamper-evident fashion, items pre-placed within the open perimeter of the bag.
 14. The invention as described in claim 13, further comprising an adhesive surface covering at least a portion of at least one of said central panel and said pivotally associated side panels.
 15. The invention as described in claim 14, further comprising a peel-away strip covering said adhesive surface.
 16. The invention as described in claim 13, further comprising aligning and cutout handle portions associating with said central panel and said first and second pivotally connected side panels. 